TURA, Nov 28 ?The Meghalaya Government has set up two ropeway projects, the first ever, in the Garo Hills at Timbogre and Chinabat to Chiwategre interior villages under Rongram C&RD Block of West Garo Hills. The two projects were inaugurated on November 25.
The ropeway from Chinabat to Chiwategre was inaugurated by C&RD Minister Brenning A Sangma, while the local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary i/c Agriculture & Irrigation Mr Sengman R Marak inaugurated the ropeway at Timbogre.
These ropeways, with an official capacity of 50 kg per trolley, were constructed in February this year with a total cost of about Rs 7.5 lakh, to help the villagers transport their goods and products to and from Chinabat, which is the main local market in the area. A committee has also been set up for its maintenance.
Inaugurating the Chinabat ropeway project the C&RD Minister informed the gathering at Chinabat market that the government would construct more of such ropeways in the areas where construction of roads and bridges were not viable and would also collaborate with the Tourism Department to construct ropeways for transportation of people as well.
He also said that criminal activities such as extortion, threats and abduction were hindering the pace of development in the Garo Hills. In this regard, he gave the example of Bugai Bridge, which was sanctioned for construction years back at Rs 74 lakh, but now has gone up to crores of rupees as construction had to be stalled several times due to such criminal activities.
Sangma also called upon the people of the area to maintain unity at all times and hoped that the installation of these ropeways they would be able to increase their productivity and enhance their livelihood.
The local MLA Sengman Marak while speaking as the guest of honour appealed to the people who would be using the services of these ropeways to pay the nominal fees that would go for its maintenance and upkeep. He also said that if the villagers showed more interest and determination to develop themselves, so also would the government be more eager to provide them with more facilities in the future.
He informed the villagers that the government has already initiated the construction of a jeepable road to Timbogre and assured to take urgent steps to construct a waiting shed and a latrine at Chinabat market for the benefit of the people of the area. He also urged the villagers to desist from playing politics amongst themselves whenever any scheme is proposed for their welfare, as according to him ?there is no politics in development?.
Commissioner & Secretary, C&RD, Peter W Ingty, Commissioner of Divisions, Garo Hills, NS Samant and Director, C&RD H D Khongwir were also present at the inauguration and they all advised the villagers to take full advantage of the asset and hoped that the difficulties faced by them in transporting their commodities would be reduced by making use of these ropeways. Mr UK Bharti, Engineer from U&V Enterprise (India), Noida, UP who constructed the ropeway, also gave a brief instruction on the operation and maintenance of the ropeway.
The Laskar of Chiwategre, B Sangma and Nokma of Timbogre, J Sangma were among others who also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, the Project Director, DRDA IR Sangma welcomed the gathering and expressed her gratitude to the government?s endeavour for making this project a success. The inaugural function was chaired by BDO of Rongram C&RD Block Ms M T Sangma, who also proposed the vote of thanks.